Indian Summer, a Time of Transition

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This time of year, as summer eases into fall, the days become shorter, and the mornings and evenings are much cooler. We still experience the heat of summer at midday, but the change in nature is unmistakable. The earth element, which is the most active energy at this time of year governs the stomach and spleen meridians.

The earth element governs digestion, not just of food but also our thoughts and reasoning on the mental emotional level. If we have an imbalance in our earth element, we can experience digestive problems at this time. Stress and worry can also negatively affect digestion. The amount of uncertainty in the world right now emphasizes our need to be rooted, harmonious and stabilized whether in family, community, or work environment.

We live in a sea of energy and are affected by the energy around us and what we listen to. Stressful thoughts and feelings can throw us off balance and influence our decision making. The best way to center ourselves is through breathing and meditation. It is always best to act from a calm center.

To promote inner calm and harmony avoid absorbing too much negative information. Spend time meditating, walking in nature, listening to positive and inspirational information and music.

It is also important to eat foods that are in season, especially yellow squashes and foods with an orange color. These are the colors associated with the earth element.

The beginning of each season is the perfect time to have your energy balanced. Spend time in introspection. Create the life you want.

Supporting the Gallbladder with Chinese Medicine

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This time of year, the energies of liver and gallbladder are most active. These two pathways are very closely connected, but today I want to focus on the gallbladder. The gallbladder governs decision making, excretes and stores bile, and on a deeper level gives us the ability to push through obstacles and to assert ourselves.

If we are having difficulties being assertive, feeling uninspired or making decisions our gallbladder energy is out of balance. Today many people have problems with their gallbladder and digestion. The reason may be found in diet and stress levels. These two things greatly affect the gallbladder.

The emotion associated with the gallbladder and liver is anger and frustration. In Chinese Medicine, having a healthy emotional life is just as important to health as a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and a strong immune system.

Anger can impact the gallbladder and liver in two ways

  • Repressed anger will damage the gallbladder/ liver over time and will create imbalance which can lead to disease.
  • If you are under extreme stress for a prolonged period and are eating poorly (greasy, fatty, rich, and spicy foods) your gallbladder/liver will become imbalanced and can cause an excess of anger (i.e., angry outbursts, irritability, ringing in the ears and migraines). These are symptoms of excess heat in the liver.

To support your gallbladder and liver health

  • Avoid greasy, fatty, spicy, and rich food. Stomach pain after eating this type of food could indicate gallbladder stones.
  • Express your emotions, don’t allow them to build up. Anger turned inward creates depression. If you are having difficulty expressing your feelings, talk therapy can be very helpful.
  • Eat foods grown locally and in season. This is the best way to regain a natural balance in our digestion.
  • Exercise, spring is the perfect time to be active physically. Our bodies need exercise to get our energy moving.

Staying Healthy in Spring with Chinese Medicine

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In spring the earth’s energies come alive. The recession of energy into the earth during winter begins to reverse and the earth brings forth new life and beauty.

As we are part of nature, the energy in our bodies begins to move up and outward during spring. This is the time to be more physically active and spend time outdoors. To support this activity, it is important to eat foods with upward energies. Green vegetables which are sprouting above ground, and a lighter diet will support the upward energies inside our bodies.

Spring is also the time of wind energy and gallbladder (GB) and liver (LV) energy. The liver meridian is very sensitive to the effects of wind energy. If you have an imbalance in GB or LV energy, you may experience symptoms of cramps, itching, spasms, dizziness, pain that comes and goes, pulsating headaches, and ringing in the ears.

Tips to promote health during spring.

  • Eat foods that support and reduce the effects of internal wind (a Chinese Medicine term). In early spring, oats, prawns, pine nuts, ginger, fennel, carrot, beetroot, cabbage, and basil are recommended. Later in the spring, celery, strawberry, cherries, peppermint, sage, chamomile, and mulberry are good choices.
  • Make sure you have a jacket or scarf in case of unpredictable weather changes. The body needs to protect against spring colds, especially if there is a compromised immune system. Again, it is important to support the LV and GB meridians at this time.
  • The sour flavor in small amounts strengthens the liver. “It helps strengthen tendons, improve bladder control, excessive sweating, diarrhea, sagging skin, hemorrhoids, and prolapsed conditions.” Too much sour flavor will create imbalance between the organs. Some sour foods are lemon, limes, pickles, rose hips, and vinegar. If you suspect a liver imbalance already, it is best to be evaluated by an acupuncturist before following this protocol.
  • “Foods that calm the liver will benefit everyone in spring.” Some examples are bay leaf, black sesame, celery, kelp, coconut milk, and scallions. These can be helpful if the liver energy is too strong. Liver energy which is too strong weakens the spleen which can cause vomiting, nausea, distension, and flatulence.

Chinese Medicine and Tinnitus

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Tinnitus is a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears, which may be chronic or come and go. It is usually worse at night and can interfere with sleep.

Historically it was most common among the elderly and veterans. It has been reported that 25 million Americans experience this condition.

There is a wide array of possible causes of this condition, including exposure to loud, explosive noises or music, a side effect of medication (i.e., aspirin), dental work, whiplash, and a possible nutrient deficiency to name a few.

Western medicine does not have a lot to offer to people suffering from tinnitus. They suggest listening to white noise to try to sleep, exercising, and practicing relaxation techniques. Though some of these suggestions may help, they do not address the root cause of the problem.

When we look at tinnitus through the lens of Chinese Medicine, it is thought to be associated with weak kidney energy as well as an imbalance in gallbladder and liver meridians. Though acupressure has some patterns which address tinnitus, acupuncture has been more effective with this condition, since the acupuncturist can prescribe herbs and do an in-depth look at the person’s lifestyle and diet.

In both acupressure and acupuncture, the therapist will check the person’s pulse and assess their energy imbalance. There is no cookie-cutter protocol, each person is treated for their specific imbalance.

To summarize treatment:

  • If you are taking medication, check the side effects. Aspirin, if taken in excess can cause tinnitus.
  • Avoid loud noises.
  • Craniosacral therapy can improve the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and may improve tinnitus if this is the cause.
  • Have your blood pressure checked. Many people with high blood pressure experience tinnitus.
  • Manage your stress with exercise and meditation.
  • Have your energy balanced by an acupressurist, or in more persistent cases see an acupuncturist.
  • Ginkgo biloba is an herbal remedy that increases blood flow to the brain. It may be helpful if your tinnitus is due to circulation problems.

Treating Fibromyalgia with Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views Fibromyalgia (FMS) as a complex syndrome. It can consist of a combination of several different syndromes depending on the origin and specific symptoms of the person.

FMS is a disease that predominantly targets women aged 20 – 50 and creates a lot of pain and suffering. This chronic condition was often misunderstood by allopathic medicine physicians.

The symptoms of FMS can include generalized body pain, muscle stiffness, and fatigue. Symptoms are usually worse in the morning and after exercise. The pain is described as deep, shooting, throbbing, burning, or stabbing with certain tender spots. FMS is not a progressive or degenerative disease.

People also report chronic fatigue. Symptoms can also include poor sleep, numbness, headaches, tingling, fuzzy thinking, sensitivity to light or noise, and dizziness. Other symptoms can include irritable bowel syndrome, blurred vision, depression, cold extremities, and palpitations to name a few.

Western medicine does not have a lot to offer people who suffer from FMS aside from pain meds (which are not always effective) and sleeping aides. According to TCM disease theory the signs and symptoms of FMS are primarily due to a dysfunction of the liver and spleen.

Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of chi in the body. The liver is also strongly influenced by the emotions of anger, frustration, and resentment, which can block the chi or energy flow. This blockage can overflow into the spleen and impair the spleen’s ability to make blood resulting in a blood deficiency.

The spleen can also be impaired by poor eating habits (eating fried or raw foods, eating on the run, excessive stress, overthinking, and prolonged exposure to dampness. A weak spleen will produce dampness in the body. This condition will negatively affect the body’s ability to digest food and create stagnation.

Treatment of FMS consists of:

  • A bland diet, limiting simple carbs (sweets, fruits and milk products, soft drinks)
  • Acupuncture and acupressure to relieve blockages
  • Herbs and supplements
  • Physical activity, go slowly but have some activity every day.

Since each person is different it is important to be under the care of a licensed acupuncturist.

Treating Motion Sickness with Chinese Medicine

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This is something I deal with occasionally, but when it happens, I ruin a whole day. Since Chinese Medicine looks for the source of the problem, I thought it was time to explore this topic. I hope it helps my audience as well.

A definition of motion sickness is nausea caused by motion especially in a vehicle. Many people experience a great deal of symptoms including nausea, this is what I want to address today.

Traditional Chinese Medicine considers motion sickness a pattern of disharmony. In TCM the body is regarded as an integrated whole. A pattern creates disharmony or disruption in the body’s system.

There are 3 patterns which can create motion sickness. The symptoms associated with each pattern can give us clues as to the cause of the disruption.

The patterns are:

  • Phlegm

    symptoms include a feeling of muzziness of the head, dizziness, nausea, feelings of oppression in the chest. Other signs are a wiry pulse and a sticky coating on the tongue.

    The usual cause of phlegm condition is spleen weakness and deficiency. The spleen is responsible for transportation and transformation of body fluids. When the spleen is impaired, the fluids stagnate and become phlegm. The lungs and kidneys may also be involved in treatment since they transport body fluids, but the spleen is the focus when beginning treatment.

  • Spleen Deficiency with Dampness

    Symptoms include edema, diarrhea, urinary problems, sensation of heaviness, insomnia, tiredness. This condition can also create hepatitis, cystitis or vaginal itching, candida infection, vaginal pain, loose stools and vaginal discharge.

  • Phlegm in the lower burner

    Symptoms are vertigo, coughing, shortness of breath, vomiting frothy saliva, and throbbing pulsations just below the belly button. The lower burner is part of the triple burner or triple warmer, the lower third of the torso.

    All these conditions are treated with Chinese herbs. There are so many types of phlegm and different conditions that treatment should be under the care of a licensed acupuncturist. Once the body’s imbalance is addressed, discomfort and suffering can greatly improve.

To prevent motion sickness

  • Take medication 1-2 hours before traveling.
  • Choose the right seat.
  • Don’t read while riding in a car
  • Lie down if feeling sick
  • Get plenty of fresh air
  • Avoid a big meal before traveling.

Treating Depression with Chinese Medicine

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Depression is a common mood disorder in the developed countries of the world. The Fall season is an especially prevalent time for mood disorders. The season changes bringing less sunlight and colder, shorter days. The energy in nature begins to recede back into the earth. The leaves change color and fall. People are spending less time socializing outside in nature.

Photo by Annie Nyle on Unsplash

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fall is the time of the metal element. The energy pathways most active are the lung and large intestine. The emotion associated with the lung meridian is sadness and grief.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • Feeling listless, sad or down every day
  • Having low energy
  • Sleeping too much
  • No interest in activities you usually enjoy.
  • Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Having thoughts of not wanting to live.
  • Trouble sleeping

Tips to manage depression

  • Depression can improve with regular exercise. Spend time outdoors each day especially in the early morning.
  • Get adequate rest, 7- 8 hours a night if possible. Going to bed at the same time each night helps the body clock to stabilize itself.
  • Set a routine for each day, exercise, read, cook, call a friend.
  • Eat meals at the same time each day.
  • Connect with family and friends.
  • Avoid taking naps. It will be difficult to sleep at night.
  • Avoid bright lights and blue light in the evening

In Traditional Chinese Medicine depression is treated with dietary changes, herbs, acupressure or acupuncture, and exercise, usually Qi Gong or Tai Chi. Since the energy pathways have an emotional association, it is important to keep the energy (chi) flowing. When our energy is stuck, we experience symptoms of dis-ease and depression. When the energy is flowing freely, we have a sense of ease and wellbeing.

There is no cookie cutter approach to depression in Chinese Medicine. Each person is unique and may have different treatments for depression and anxiety based on their constitution and health issues. There are many degrees of depression. People with more severe symptoms should also seek medical professional help.

Treating Gall Stones with Chinese Medicine

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A good friend had asked for information on how gallstones might be treated with Chinese Medicine (CM). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards the body as a whole system where everything is interrelated. When a symptom such as gallstones occurs, it is regarded as disharmony or imbalance in the body’s system.

CM attributes the pattern of phlegm in the gallbladder or kidneys as a cause of stones. The symptoms of gallstones and kidney stones are back pain and pain in the epigastric area. These sharp pains can occur after eating greasy, fatty, rich, or spicy foods.

The gallbladder stores and excretes bile, which helps in digestion. In TCM the gallbladder meridian is associated with decision making and everyday stress. It partners with the liver meridian, which is associated with planning, ligaments and tendons, and the emotion of anger.

Gallbladder meridian is also associated with our passion for life, action, and assertiveness. Imbalance in the gallbladder meridian can create difficulty being assertive, making decisions, and following through with projects. When the gallbladder meridian is balanced energy is flowing freely and we are assertive, passionate, and healthy.

Possible causes of Gallbladder Imbalance

  • Stressful events, such as loss of a loved one, trauma, injury, illness, or loss of employment.
  • Consumption of lots of fatty, greasy, rich, or spicy foods. Overtime this will impair gallbladder and liver function and can create angry outbursts, irritability, red face and eyes, ringing in the ears, and migraines. These are symptoms of excess heat in the liver.

To help repair the gallbladder

  • Avoid greasy, fatty, rich, and spicy foods
  • Express emotions freely, not allowing for buildup and overreaction. Depression, which is anger turned inward, can also be a symptom of gallbladder imbalance.
  • Eat foods grown locally and in season.
  • Exercise regularly. The chi needs to move to prevent stagnation, which causes disease.
  • If having gallbladder issues avoid caffeine and alcohol. Drink plenty of water and eat fresh greens.
  • Go to bed before 11:00pm, when gallbladder is most active.

If you suspect, you have gallstones or kidney stones consult a licensed acupuncturist. Many times, insurance will cover the acupuncturist’s fee.

In Western Medicine, the treatment for gallstones is usually surgery. In TCM the organs were never removed. The TCM treatment today is still basically the same. The acupuncturist will recommend dietary changes, herbs, and acupuncture, and most likely detoxification before considering surgery as a last resort.

Bladder, the Longest Meridian in the Body

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This time of year is known as the time of the water element. The energy pathways most active are the Bladder and Kidney Meridians. I’ve spoken about the Kidney Meridian and its importance the last few weeks. Today I want to focus on the Bladder Meridian.

The Bladder Meridian is the longest energy pathway in the body. It begins at the inside corner of the eye, goes over the head down the neck, back, the back of the legs, the side of the foot and ends at the small toe. This pathway is on both sides of our body and crosses all the other meridians; in doing so, it has influence on all the other meridians.

The Bladder Meridian partners with the Kidney Meridian, together they control fluid transformation and excretion in the body. The kidney stores our deepest levels of energy, and kidney issues can be treated using bladder acupoints.  Points on the Bladder Meridian are excellent for treating headaches, eye strain, back, knee, and ankle pain, and for promoting a sense of deep relaxation. Imbalance in the bladder energy can create emotions of suspicion, jealousy, and the inability to let go of grudges.

The back responds to stress by becoming tight. “In short back tension is putting your problems behind you. With chronic back pain or tension, whatever the cause, there are likely to be some powerful suppressed feelings. For example, after a back injury, there may be fear or anger about the pain or disability.”

……Iona Teeguarden, The Joy of Feeling

To support the Bladder Meridian, stay hydrated, do stretching exercises and rest. Having your energy balanced by a licensed acupressurist or acupuncturist can help release both chronic and acute tight muscles.

Chinese Medicine and the Winter Season

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The winter solstice begins this week, and with it the change in subtle energies from fall to winter is complete. Chinese Medicine, which has evolved over thousands of years, is still used today to effectively treat illness and disease.

A basic premise of Traditional Chinese Medicine is that true health is created when we live in harmony with nature. Living in harmony with the changing seasons (changing our diet and habits to conform to the present season) creates balance between our bodies and our environment. We are ushering in the season of winter and the water element, which is represented by the Kidney and Bladder Meridians, or energy pathways.

Kidney represents the yin (dark, cold, slow, inward) energy and Bladder represents the yang (lighter, hot, quick, expansive) energy. Winter is a good time to strengthen the kidneys. A good way to do this is to get adequate rest and avoid chills. Dressing for the weather is an important aspect of staying healthy.

Other associations of the Kidney Meridian are:

  • It stores our essence
  • Produces marrow and fills the brain
  • Controls the bones
  • Governs the water
  • Associated with the ears and hair
  • Houses the will power
  • Vitality

Foods to support kidney and bladder are bone broths, warm, hearty soups, miso, soy sauce, seaweeds, lettuce, endive, salt, millet, and barley.